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Safety-related automation leader HIMA signs MOU with NUS Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering to further functional safety and security

Quick Summary

  • After the recent launch of the Customer Solutions Center (CSC) in Singapore, German safety-related automation vendor HIMA continues the momentum forward to empower the region and talents, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the prestigious National University of Singapore (NUS), College of Design and Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE), which aims to nurture engineering talents in functional safety and security.
  • HIMA and NUS CDE acknowledge the need for future engineers to be equipped with adequate skills and a strong foundation in functional safety and security as Singapore continues to push towards advanced manufacturing.
  • In light of Singapore’s growing prominence as a center for higher education in Southeast Asia, HIMA is more dedicated than ever to supporting the region’s efforts to identify and develop its next generation of top engineering talent.

Editor’s brief: After the recent launch of the Customer Solutions Center (CSC) in Singapore, German safety-related automation vendor HIMA continues the momentum forward to empower the region and talents, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the prestigious National University of Singapore (NUS), College of Design and Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE), which aims to nurture engineering talents in functional safety and security. Read more below.

Singapore – The National University of Singapore’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) and HIMA, the industry’s leading provider of safety-related automation solutions, have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (NUS CDE). This collaboration will help to train future functional safety and security engineers. HIMA Customer Solutions Center in Singapore was the site of the MoU signing on August 24th, 2022. Associate Professor Chai Kah Hin, Vice Dean of Masters’ Programmes and Lifelong Learning at NUS CDE, and Friedhelm Best, Vice President Asia Pacific at HIMA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Functional safety has been used as a form of safety management in the critical infrastructure, oil and gas, chemical, and rail industries for decades, if not centuries. Even though safety regulations have tightened, the introduction of Industry 4.0 and the IIoT presents new dangers in the chemical industry, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities. There have been a number of tragic accidents at chemical plants over the years, with negative effects on both infrastructure and the environment. HIMA and NUS CDE acknowledge the need for future engineers to be equipped with adequate skills and a strong foundation in functional safety and security as Singapore continues to push towards advanced manufacturing.

“The Asia Pacific region has always been an important core market for us. For more than 30 years, we have been expanding in Asia. Our recently launched Customer Solutions Center in Singapore is a testimony to our continued commitment to this region, to support regional societal initiatives, and to nurture industries with safety and security competencies. We are proud to call Singapore home and we are committed to continue serving Singapore and the Asia Pacific moving forward,” said Mr Jörg de la Motte, CEO, HIMA.

Establishing a partnership between HIMA and NUS ChBE

In light of Singapore’s growing prominence as a center for higher education in Southeast Asia, HIMA is more dedicated than ever to supporting the region’s efforts to identify and develop its next generation of top engineering talent. HIMA and NUS ChBE have formed a partnership to proactively organize events to advance functional safety education.

Jointly, HIMA and NUS ChBE will collaborate in the following areas:

  • Organise training and seminars to enhance education in functional safety and security
  • HIMA Customer Solutions Center will be available for NUS ChBE students to observe the actual operations within critical infrastructures
  • Jointly develop use cases to demonstrate how functional safety will assist Singapore’s transition toward advanced manufacturing
  • HIMA will offer internship opportunities for NUS ChBE students to gain practical industry experience
  • Jointly research on the potential of safe low-carbon hydrogen technology pathways

Announcing this partnership opportunity, Friedhelm Best, Vice-President Asia Pacific, HIMA, said “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with NUS Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Together, we hope to improve functional safety and security knowledge to enhance engineering education. We foresee performing a pivotal role in energising young engineers for future STEM career opportunities and further supporting the nation’s growth in advanced manufacturing.”

“We are honoured to partner HIMA, a world-leading specialist in safety-related automation, to develop field-worthy solutions and upskill the next generation of engineers. Our collaboration with HIMA will create meaningful opportunities for our students. Together with HIMA, we look forward to building a stronger pipeline of engineering talents,” said Associate Professor Chai Kah Hin, Vice Dean (Masters’ Programmes and Lifelong Learning), NUS CDE.

“The knowledge and skills that our students gain in the classroom, along with the hands-on opportunities offered by HIMA, will empower students with the confidence and competencies to solve complex real-world problems. This exciting collaboration with HIMA will better prepare our students for their engineering careers,” said Associate Professor Ivan Sin, Programme Chair for Masters of Science in Safety, Health & Environmental Technology at NUS CDE.

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